Insole



y 1944 A. JALBERT EIAL 2,352,715

' INSOLE Filed Oct. 16, 1942 /A/VQWU/QE Patented July 4, 1944 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE IN SOLE Adrien L. Jalbert, Haverhill, and EdwardQuinn, Saugus, Mass, assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New J crsey Application October 16,1942, Serial No. 462,280

Claims.

This invention relates to insoles for shoes and more particularly toinsoles'provided with lasting ribs for use in the manufacture of weltshoes.

In the manufacture of shoes in which the upper is secured to a rib onthe insole to hold the upper in overlasted position, as for example, inWell: shoes, it is essential that the lastmg or sewing rib on the insolebe strong and rigid enough to hold the upper firmly in overlastedposition and yet not be so stiff or unyieldlng that it will materiallyreduce the flexibility of the finished shoe. The rib should be formed sothat it will assume an upstanding position on the insole and will tendto remain in that positlon during, and after, the lasting and inseamstitching operations. Such a rib should not only holdthe upper tight-onth last, but it should provide a guide for the lasting and stitchingoperations. Moreover, the rib should locate the materials at the inseamin an upstanding posit1on and thus facilitate the inseam trimmingoperation. In addition to its other characteristics the lasting ribshould be such that it is penetrable by fastehings and fasteninginserting means without being torn, split or otherwise damaged by thefastenings or the inserting means, and it should be attached to theinsole in a manner that will eliminate any danger of its pulling, off orpeeling away from the body portion thereof during the operationsreferred to orduring the wearing of the shoe. If, for example, the rib,or a portion thereof, is integral with the insole, this portion shouldnot be formed .so that is liable to peel away from the insole under tenson or strain from the overlasted upper. If, on the other hand, the ribor a part of it is composedfof separate materiahsuch a strip, theseparate portionor strip s'houldlikewise be so firmly attached to the,insole that all danger of its pulling or peeling off will be eliminated.Finally, whatever its construction, the rib should obviouslyLbeeconomical to make or apply to the insole so that it will not render thecost of manufacture excessive and, accordingly, the rib should be assimple as possible to make so that it will not involve too manyoperations or require too much time to construct.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved insole foruse in making shoes such, for example, as welt shoes,,the insole havinga lasting rib thereon which embodies the features and satisfies therequirements pointed out above and willbe relatively simple andeconomical to make and apply to the insole. 1

To the accomplishment of this object, the in-' vention provides, inaccordance with one feature, an improved insole for use in themanufacture of welt shoes comprising an insole blank or body portionhaving a lasting rib thereon which consists of an integral outsidechannel flap and a two-ply reinforcement secured by cement alone to theouterfa'ce of the flap. As herein illustrated, the integral flap isformed by an outside channel extending inwardly of the margin of theinsole and the reinforcing member comprises a separate strip ofmaterial, preferably fabric, folded over upon itselfwith pressureresponsive cement on the folded portionto form a twoply layer orreinforcement, this two-ply reinforcing portion or layer being securedto the outer face of the channel fiapby cement alone to complete theformation of the rib. After it has been folded over, the strip also hasa portion or layer extending beyond the two-ply layer which is turned atright angles to the two-ply layer to form a lateral flange at the baseof said layer.

In accordance with one form of the invention, as herein illustrated, theoutside channel'is spaced inwardly from the edge face of the insole adistance approximately equal to the width of the feather portion thereofand the separate strip is secured to the insole outwardly of the flapwith the two-ply reinforcing layer projecting upwardly from the outeredge of the channel and'the flange extending inwardly and lying flat inthe channel. The channel flap extends outwardly above the flange and isarranged to overlap the flange throughout its width, the flap being secured to the flange by cement and the outer portion of the flapextending upwardly againstthe two-ply layer for at least a portion ofthe height of that layer to complete the rib. In accordance with anotherfor'm'of the invention, the integralflap may be formed by an outsidechannel cut inwardly from the edge face of the insole for a distanceconsiderably greater than the normal feather portion thereof, and theseparate strip of material may be folded over upon itself on itslongitudinalmedian line with cement on the folded portions to form atwo-ply layer at the'middle of the strip with apair of lateral flangesextending in opposite directions from its base; The folded strip issecured to the insole outwardly of the channel flap with the twoplylayer projecting upwardly and the flanges lyi'ng flat in the channel.The outside channel flap overlaps the inner flangethroughout itswidthand the outer or free portion of the flap extends upwardly againstthe'two-ply reinfo'rcement and is secured thereto by cement alone, theflap being secured in overlapping relation to the flange by cement.

Another form of ribbed insole contemplated by the present inventioncomprises a rib formed by an outside channel flap provided by a channelcut inwardly from the edge face of the insole for a distanceapproximately equal to the feather portion thereof, and a separate stripfolded over upon itself to provide a two-ply layer with a single-plylayer or flange at its base. In this form of the invention, the two-plylayer is secured by cement alone to the outer face of the channel flapand the flange lies flat in the channel and extends outwardly to theedge face of the insole.

In accordance with still another construction provided by the invention,as herein illustrated, the insole may be channeled by an outside channelextending inwardly from the edge face of the insole but located at anangle to the plane of the insole to produce a tapered or Wedge-shapedflap the outer portion of which forms the thicker end ofthe wedge}thereby leaving a tapered feather portion on the insole which inclinesdownwardly and outwardly to a relatively thin edge at the periphery'ofthe insole. The sepa-- rate strip in this construction is folded overupon itself with cement on its folded surface to form a tWo-ply layerthroughout, the lower or base portion of this layer, as applied to theinsole, being bent to form a lateral flange at the base of thereinforcing portion of the strip. The twoply layer or reinforcement isapplied to the insole with the two-ply layer extending upwardly andsecured by cement alone-to the outer face of the wedge-shaped flap tocomplete the rib, the twoply flange being located fiat in the channeland being secured thereto by cement.

With the above and other objects and features in view, the'inventionwill now be described in detail in connection with the accompanyingdrawing and will thereafter be pointed out in the claims;

In the drawing,

Fig.1 is a perspective view of an insole embodying one form of theinvention with a portion of the insole broken away to show theconstruction of the rib;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale of one side of theinsole of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3'is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing an uppe and welt secured inlasted relation to the insole? Fig. 4 is a similar view showing anoutsole atwelt secured to the insole of Fig. 5, and an outsole attachedto the welt;

Fig. 8 illustrates a still different form of ribbed insole;

Figs. 9 and 10, respectively, show an upper and welt. secured to theinsole of Fig. 8, and an outsole attached to the welt;

Fig. 11 illustrates still another form of ribbed insole; and

Figs. 12 and 13, respectively, show an upper and Welt secured to theinsole of Fig. 11, and a outsole attached to the Welt.

The insole illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. which comprises oneform or embodiment of the invention, consists of an insole blank or bodyhaving an edge face 22 and a margin or feather portion 24. The insole ischanneled around its marginal portion from the heel breast line aroundthe shank and forepart to the breast line by an L-shaped out forming anoutside channel 26 and a channel flap 28. As shown in the drawing, thechannel 26 is spaced inwardly from the edge face of the insole adistance approximately equal to the width of the feather portion of theinsole, thereby permitting the feather portion to remain at its fullthickness. The channel flap 28'is loose or free at its outer edge and isconnected to, or integral with, the insole at its inner edge.

After the insole has been channeled as described above, a separate stripof material 30, preferably fabric such as canvas or Gem duck, is coatedwith a pressure responsive cement such, for example, as neoprene, latexor similar cement, and the strip is folded over upon itself, as shown inFig. 2, to form a two-ply portion or layer 32 having a single-ply layerextending beyond one edge thereof, this single-ply layer being bentsubstantially at right angles to the twoply layer to form a lateralflange 34 at the base of said layer.

Pressure responsive cement is applied to the channel 26, to the innersurface of the channel flap 28, and to the upper or outer side of theflange 34, and the strip 30 is positioned on the insole margin,outwardly of the flap 28, as shown in- Fig. 2, with the two-ply layer'32located at the outer edge of the channel and projecting upwardly atright angles to the plane of the insole and with the flange 34 extendinginwardly and lying flat in th channel, the flange becoming firmlysecured in the channel by the cement on the channel and flange.

Thechannel flap 28 is next positioned over the flang 34, as illustratedin Fig. 2,-and the outer or free margin of the flap is turned upwardlyagainst the upstanding two-ply'layer 32, the two-ply layer becomingfirmly securedto the outer face of the flap by reason of 'thepressureresponsivecement of this layer and on the flap. In other words, thestrip, including the flange 34, is secured in the channel by cementalone, and the two-ply reinforcing layer 32 is secured tothe outerfaceof the channel flap 28 by cement alone to complete the formation'of thelasting rib. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the channel ,fiap extendsupwardly on the inner surface of the two-ply reinforcing layer for abouthalf the height of that layer above the surface ofthe insole. Thelasting rib formed as described particularly adapts the present insolefor use in making welt shoes because the rib is strong and rigid enoughto holdthe shoe upper firmly in overlasted position, and yet it is notsostiff or inflexible that it will reduce the flexibility of the finishedshoe to any great. extent. Moreover, the channel flap 28, being integralwith the insole at the inner edge of the flap, strengthens theresistance of the rib to bending under the outward tension or strain-ofthe overlasted upper. Since the flap is an outside channel flap and isfree at its outer edge, outward tensionof the upper will not tend totear or peel the flap away from the body of the insole.

In addition to the advantages already pointed out,.the present insoleprovides further benefits and advantages which increaseits utility andusefulness over other constructions for making welt shoes. For example,the upstanding marginal portion 20 of leather or other suitable material5 portipnfifi of .the flap 28 is prevented from bending downwardly underthe tension of the upper by the substantial reinforcement it receivesfrom the upstanding, two-ply layer 32 of the fabric strip 30. Thisresult is also assisted by the fact that the rib, has herein formed,includes two parallel layers or coats of cement in its upstanding bodyportion which contribute further to the strength or rigidity of the rib,or to its tendency to' remain in, or return to, its upstanding verticalposition if the rib should be bent outwardly during or after the lastingand inseam stitching operations.

The reinforcement provided by the two-ply layer 32 is applied to theouter face of the flap so that, besides assisting in maintaining theflap in its upstanding position, the reinforcement also provides abetter material than thin flexible leather for receiving fastenings,such as staples, tacks or stitches. Consequently, the relatively thickfabric reinforcement of the rib obviates any.

danger of the leather flap being torn, out or otherwise injured by thefastenings when the upper is lasted or by the inseam stitches when theyare inserted. Furthermore, the attachment of the separate strip 30 tothe insole is stronger and firmer in the present construction than insimilar constructions because the strip is not only secured to thesurface of the channel 26 by the pressure responsive cement between theflange 34 and the channel, but the flange is additionally secured in thechannel by the overlapping flap 28 which covers the flange throughoutits entire width and is cemented thereto. This overlapping arrangementof the flap also eliminates any hollow or depression adjacent to theinner side of the rib, as is common in many ribbed insole constructions,and it thus assists in rendering the surface of the insole more nearlyfiat or smooth for receiving an outsole, thereby reducing the amount offiller material needed in the shoe bottom and increasing the flexibilityof the shoe a corresponding amount.

Finally, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the feather portion24 of the present insole is not weakened by reducing its thickness inorder to form the rib, as is often the case with insoles having integrallasting ribs. Consequently, the shape or outline of the insole will beimparted to,

or preserved in, the finished shoe, thereby providing a stronger andbetter shaped shoe. The elimination of a hollow or depression inwardlyof the rib, besides rendering'the surface of the insole smoother forreceiving an outsole, also makes the insole stronger at this point andthus'tends to prevent the feather portion of the insole from bending orcurling upwardly in the shoe during its wear, which frequently occurs inshoes in which the insole has been weakened inwardly of the rib by aninside channel to provide an inner flap for the rib, the inside channelsometimes rendering the insole so thin and weak at this location thatthe feather portion subsequently bends or curls upwardly in the shoeabout this point as a pivot, thereby causing the shoe to lose its shapeand causing discomfort to the wearer.

Fig. 3 shows the insole after an upper 38, comprising an outer layer andlining, has been secured in overlasted relation to the rib and after theupper and a welt Mi have been attached to the rib by inseam stitches Therib remains in its upstanding position after the lasting and inseamingoperations have been performed because of the strength and rigidity ofthe rib which are caused by the relatively short portion 36 of the flapbeing reinforced on its outer face ISO by the two-ply reinforcement 32.Inward bending of the rib, for example, is resisted primarily by thisshort, upturned portion 36 while outward bending is resisted by theoverlapping portion of the integral flap 28 which, when the inseamstitches are located as close as they should be to the base of the rib,opposes or resists a large part of the outward pull or tension of theoverlasted upper. Since the flap is an outside channel flap with itsinner end integral with the insole, the outward tension of the upper hasno tendency to tear or peel the flap outwardly away from the bodyportion of the insole. In addition, the two parallel layers of cement inthe rib also assist in maintaining it in an upstanding position. Asillustrated in Fig. 3, the excess material of the rib, upper and weltare located inan upstanding position which will facilitate the inseamtrimming operation. Fig. 4 illustrates the completed shoe after theinseam has been trimmed, filler material 44 applied, and an outsole 46attached by sole-attaching stitches 48.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another form of ribbed insole for use inwelt shoes having features and advantages similar to those described inconnection with the first type of insole. As shown in Fig. 5, the insoleblank 50 having an edge face 52 and feather portion 54 is channeledaround its margin by an outside channel 56 which is out inwardly fromthe edge face 52 a distance considerably greater than the width of thefeather 55, thereby providing an outwardly extending channel flap 58 theouter, free portion 50 of which may be removed when the channel is cut,after the rib is formed or, if desired, may be removed by the inseamtrimming operation.

A strip 62 of separate material, such as canvas or Gem duck, is coatedwith pressure responsive cement and the strip is folded over upon itselfat its central or median portion to form a twoply layer 64 havingseparate layers at its base which form a pair of single-ply flanges 66and 58 extending laterally from said base in opposite directions.Pressure responsive cement is applied to the channel and flap and to thesurfaces of the strip opposing the channel and fiap, as described above,and the folded strip is secured to the insole, outwardly of the flap, asshown in 5, with the two-ply layer 64 projecting upwardly and theflanges 66, 68 lying flat in the channel, the parts'adhering firmlytogether by reason of the cement thereon. The channel flap 58 is pressedinto overlapping relation to the inner flange $6 and the outer portion10 of the flap is turned up against the two-ply reinforcement 64and'stuck thereto to complete the rib.

Fig. 6 illustrates the insole 50 after an upper 12 has been lasted andthe upper and a Welt 14 have been secured to the rib by inseam stitches"it. Ln '7, the excess materials at the inseam have been trimmed, fillermaterial 18 has been applied to the shoe bottom, and an outsole has beensecured to the shoe by stitches 82. The insole constructionillustratedin. Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, like the first type of insole, isparticularly adapted for use in making welt shoes because the lastingrib is strong and rigid without being so stiff as materially to reducethe flexibility 0f the shoe. The rib will remain in an upstandingposition due to its rigidity, the manner of its construction andreinforcement, and also to thetw'o layers or coats of cement inthe bodyof the rib. 'Moreover, the'rib will not pull off or peel away from theinsole because of its strong attachment, including the overlappingfeature of the flap, and it will not be readily cut or damaged byfastenings or fastening inserting instrumentalities. The feather of theinsole is not reduced in thickness and weakened because the flange 68returns this portion to substantial- 13' its original thickness, andthere is no hollow or depression at the inner base of the rib to weakenthe insole at this point and tend to cause its margin to turn up or curlin the finished shoe.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a still different form of insoleconstruction embodying many of the features and advantages of the twoprevious constructions. As shown in Fig. 8, an insole 84, having an edgeface 86 and a feather portion 88, is channeled inwardly from its edgeface by an outside channel 98 a distance substantially equal to thefeather portion to produce a channel flap 92 having an outer margin 94which may be removed either when the insole is channeled, when the ribis formed, or in the inseam trimming operation. A separate strip 95 ofcanvas or Gem duck is coated with pressure responsive cement and isfolded over upon itself to form a two-ply layer 98 and a lateral flangeI00. The strip is applied to the insole outwardly of the flap 92, asshown in Fig. 8, with the two-ply layer 98 in contact with theupstanding flap 92 and the flange lying flat in the channel, the partsbecoming firmly secured together in this position because of the cementon the strip, the channel and the channel flap.

The insole 84 thus has a strong, rigid upstanding rib which will retainthe upper firmly in overlasted position and yet is not too inflexible.Fig. 9 shows the insole 84 with an upper I82 and welt I04 secured to therib by stitches I06, and Fig. 10 illustrates the shoe after it has beentrimmed, filler material I08 applied, and an out-- sole IIU attached bysole-attaching stitches H2. The two layers of cement in the rib, asmentioned above, help maintain the rib in its upstanding position.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 disclose still another form of ribbed insole for usein welt shoes in which an insole H4 is channeled inwardly from its edgeface by an outside channel II6 to provide a reduced feather portion H8and a channel flap I28, the channel being positioned at an angle to theplane of the insole, as shown in Fig. 11, so that the feather portionslants downwardly and outwardly to a relatively thin edge and the flapI28 is tapered or wedge-shaped with the thick end of the wedge at itsouter or top portion.

A separate strip I22 of fabric material is coated with pressureresponsive cement and is folded over upon itself, as described above, toproduce a two-ply strip or layer throughout its width, the upper or ribportion of the layer, as viewed in Fig. 11, being indicated by thenumeral I24, and the lower or flange portion by the numeral I26. Thechannel, the flap, and the surfaces of the strip which are to engagethem, are coated with pressure responsive cement and the strip isposltioned on the insole as shown in Fig. 11 with the two-ply layer I24extending upwardly against the outer face of the flap, and with theflange I26 lying flat in the inclined channel and extending to the edgeface of the insole so that it substantially fills the channel andrestores the tapered feather I'I8 to substantially its originalthickness while retaining its outward inclination. The parts are firmlyattached together by the pressure responsive cement thereon to completethe formation of the rib, the excess material I28 of the flap beingtrimmed off, as stated, either during the channeling, the rib forming,or the inseam trimming operation.

The wedge-shaped rig I28, I26 of Fig. 11 is likewise well adapted foruse in making welt shoes because it is sufficiently strong and rigid ,tohold the upper in overlasted position without being too inflexible. Itsmanner of construction and reinforcement gives it the advantagesenumerated above with respect to remaining in an upstanding position,receiving fastenings Without damage, and so forth. In addition, thewedge-shaped rib provides a definite angle or recess I30 at the innerside of its base which will serve as a guide during the lasting andinseam stitching opera,- tions and will tend to cause the fastenings andstitches to be inserted close to the base of the rib to insure tightlasting and inseaming stitching erations. The construction of Fig. 11 iseconomical since it can be made quickly and by relatively fewoperations.

Fig. 12 shows the insole after an upper I32 and a welt I34 have beenattached to the rib by inseam stitches I36, and Fig. 13 illustrates thecompleted welt shoe after the inseam has been trimmed, filler materialI38 applied to the shoe bottom, an an outsole I40 attached bysole-attaching stitches I42.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 01' the United States is:

1. An insole provided with a lasting rib consisting of an integralchannel flap formed by a channel cut in the margin of the insoleinwardly of the edge face thereof and extending inwardly of said margin,and a two-ply reinforcing layer having cement between the plies andhaving a single-ply flange extending laterally from the base thereof,said layer being secured by cement alone to the outer face of said flapwith its flange lying flat in said channel, and said flap overlappingthe flange and being secured thereto throughout the width of saidflange, the margin of the insole remaining at its original thickness.

2. An insole provided with a lasting rib consisting of an integralchannel flap formed by an outside channel cut in the margin of theinsole and extending inwardly from an outer portion thereof, and a stripof separate material folded over upon itself with cement therebetween toform a two-ply reinforcing layer having. a single-ply flange extendinglaterally from the base thereof, said strip being positioned on theinsole outwardly of said flap with its two-ply layer projecting upwardlyand secured by cement to the outer face of said flap and with its flangelying flat in said channel, said flap overlapping the flange throughoutthe entire width of said flange and being secured thereto by cement, themargin of said insole being unreduced in thickness.

3. An insole for welt shoes provided with a lasting rib consisting of anintegral channel flap formed by an outside channel out in the margin ofthe insole at a feather distance from its edge face and extendinginwardly from the feather portion thereof, and a separate strip ofreinforcin material folded over upon itself with cement therebetween toform a two-ply layer having a singleply flange extending. laterally fromthe base thereof, said strip being secured to the insole outwardly ofthe flap with the two-ply layer projecting upwardly at right angles tothe plane of the insole and with the flange extending inwardly and lyingflat in said channel, said flap overlapping said flange throughout thewidth of the flange and being secured thereto by cement, and the outerportion of said flap extending upwardly in contact with the innersurface of the upstanding two-ply layer and being secured thereto bycement to complete the rib, said two-ply layer reinforcing the outerface of the flap. and said flap reinforcing the attachment of the stripto the insole, the feather portion of the insole being unreinforced.

4. An insole for welt shoes provided with a lasting rib consisting of anintegral channel flap formed by a channel cut in the margin of theinsole approximately a feather distance inwardly from its edge face andextending inwardly from the feather portion of the insole, and aseparate strip of material folded over upon itself with cement betweenthe layers to form a two-ply layer having a flange extending laterallyfrom the base thereof, said strip being secured to the insole outwardlyof the flap with the two-ply layer projecting upwardly from the outeredge of said channel and the flange extending inwardly and lying flat insaid channel, said flap overlapping said flange throughout the widththereof and the outer portion of said flap extending upwardly againstthe inner surface of said two-ply layer for a portion of its height tocomplete the rib, the margin of the insole being unreinforced andremaining at its original thickness.

5. An insole for welt shoes provided with a lasting rib consisting. ofan integral channel flap formed by an outside channel cut in the marginof the insole but spaced inwardly from the edge face thereof a distanceapproximately equal to the width of the feather portion of the insole,and a separate strip of material folded over upon itself and secured inthat position by cement to form a two-ply layer having one single-plyflange extending laterally from its base, said two-ply layer beinglocated at the outer edge of the channel and being secured by cementalone to the outer face of said flap with said flange extending inwardlyand lying flat in said channel, said flange being secured in saidchannel by cement, and said flap overlapping said flange throughout theWidth of the flange and being secured thereto by cement, the entirefeather portion of the insole being unreinforced and remaining at itsoriginal thickness.

ADRIEN L. JALBERT. EDWARD QUINN.

